"It's a moral imperative:" Top 5 songs from 'Real Genius'

Val Kilmer is responsible for scores of productive American workers not making it to the office on time today. Why? Because Real Genius was on cable again and didn't end until 8 a.m., and though I don't live by many rules these days, this one is iron-clad: When Real Genius is on TV, I never leave the couch until the end of the dramatic house-destroying popcorn scene.

A few years ago, there were rumors that Kilmer had signed on to reprise his role as the rebel brainiac Chris Knight in a Real Genius sequel. But nothing seems to have come of that. Bummer, because Kilmer was always at his best in comic roles. (See Top Secret or his turn as a pot-dealing sherpa in Entourage.)

While we contemplate the one sequel Hollywood SHOULD be making, here's a little mood music.

TOP 5 SONGS FROM REAL GENIUS:

5. THE WALLS COME DOWN (The Call): I swear I don't remember this playing in the movie. Help? But I think the Call is one of the most underrated bands of the '80s, so it's on my list.

4. ONE NIGHT LOVE AFFAIR (Bryan Adams): It doesn't feel like it belongs in this movie, does it? It's from Adams' Reckless album and reached No. 13 on the charts in 1984.

About this blog

Relive the '80s music, movies and culture with Tampa Bay Times correspondent Steve Spears. A teen during the greatest decade ever, Steve is obsessed with everything from Duran Duran to Journey, John Hughes to John Cusack, and parachute pants to big hair.